The Mid-Autumn Festival is a cherished tradition for Chinese families—a time when children, no matter how far away, return home to celebrate under the year’s fullest moon. The festival symbolizes wholeness and happiness, embodying the reunion of both people and the moon.
This year, people across China are enjoying a three-day holiday. University students studying away from their hometowns seize this opportunity to reunite with their families or embark on sightseeing trips with their parents. The festivity brings warmth and joy as families gather to share mooncakes and appreciate the luminous moon together.
However, for those studying abroad, the reunion is less attainable. Many are in the midst of their semesters in cultures where the Mid-Autumn Festival is not observed. While technology allows for virtual connections through social media and messaging apps like WeChat, it cannot replace the joy of meeting in person and sharing a meal at the same table.
As an old Chinese saying goes, “When the child is away, the mother will pray.” On this special day, countless parents of overseas students find themselves gazing at the moon, their thoughts filled with hopes and prayers for their children’s well-being. The distance is felt more acutely against the backdrop of changing environments, unfavorable policies, geopolitical tensions, and incidents affecting Chinese students and scholars abroad.
The United States has long been a top destination for Chinese students. As of January 2024, approximately 290,000 Chinese students were studying in the U.S., accounting for about one-third of all international students there. Their presence has significantly benefited American universities and contributed positively to the U.S. economy. In 2018, international students contributed an estimated $45 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
However, recent years have seen a decline in the number of Chinese students choosing to study in the United States. The figures have dropped from 372,532 in the 2019/2020 academic year to 289,526 in 2022/2023—a substantial decrease even considering the rebound after the pandemic.
This decline can be attributed to a variety of factors. Typically, international student mobility is influenced by the quality of programs and institutions, government policies encouraging cross-border education, and employment prospects post-graduation. Changes in these areas have impacted students’ decisions, leading many to reconsider their study destinations.
For parents back home, these trends add to their concerns. While they cherish the achievements and independence of their children studying abroad, they also worry about their well-being amidst geopolitical uncertainties. The Mid-Autumn Festival becomes a poignant reminder of the physical and emotional distances that separate families.
Despite the challenges, the shared moonlight serves as a symbol of connection. No matter where they are in the world, Chinese people look up at the same moon, finding solace in the thought that their loved ones are doing the same. It’s a timeless tradition that transcends borders, uniting hearts across continents.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
